San Diego  Officer James Zirpolo says he doesn’t keep track of his drunken-driving arrest statistics.

But for the second year in a row, the San Diego police officer has won the Mothers Against Drunk Driving award for making the most DUI arrests in the county.

Zirpolo got 177 drunken drivers off the road last year, making him “Top Arresting Officer” for 2012. The award was presented to him at the annual law enforcement recognition luncheon on Wednesday, hosted by the MADD San Diego chapter and the state Office of Traffic Safety.

Zirpolo won the same award last year, for his 205 DUI arrests in 2011, and again for making 227 arrests in 2009.

San Diego Police Officer John Perdue won the "Distinguished Service Award" from MADD.— Pauline Repard

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San Diego Police Officer John Perdue won the "Distinguished Service Award" from MADD.
/ Pauline Repard

Almost 400 law enforcement officials attended the luncheon at the Town & Country Resort in Mission Valley. Thirty-four officers from departments around the county were recognized as “Outstanding DUI Officers” for their high number of arrests.

Together they made more than 12,000 DUI arrests last year, said Christopher Murphy of the Office of Traffic Safety. Ten officers each made more than 100 arrests.

“That truly says something about your commitment to get DUI drivers off the road,” Murphy said.

Zirpolo, a 22-year police veteran, said before the luncheon that he concentrates his efforts around Pacific Beach, Carmel Valley and downtown San Diego.

“I don’t have a great desire to put people in jail,” Zirpolo said. “But when you deal with the amount of trauma for the families of the victims - just don’t drink and drive.”

Sheriff’s Deputy David Toner, assigned to the Encinitas station, came in with the second-highest score on DUI arrests last year, with 143. He claimed the county’s top honor when he made 187 arrests in 2010.

San Diego Police Officer John Perdue won the Distinguished Service Award in memory of California Highway Patrol Officer Christopher Lydon, who was killed by a drunken driver in 1998.

MADD Executive Director Steve Lykins said Perdue, a five-year police veteran, showed a high level of proficiency, esprit de corps, and dedication to get DUI drivers off the road.

Sheriff William Gore told the audience that drunken driving “is a preventable crime.”

Also speaking was Michele Eastland, whose pregnant cousin was killed by a drunken driver on New Year’s Day in 2010.

She recounted her family’s anguish, but told the officers, “I’m so proud to be here in your presence. I know what a hard job you have.”